A motorhome that won't start, has no MOT or hasn't moved for years is harder to sell privately — most buyers want to drive one away. It is not, however, unsellable, and it doesn't need repairing before you enquire.
A private buyer usually can't insure, tax or legally drive a van without a valid MOT, and few want to arrange recovery for a vehicle they've only seen standing still. That is exactly why a buying service is often the simpler route: we assess it where it is and arrange collection.
Some of that is minor and some isn't. You don't need to diagnose it — describe what happens when you try to start it and we'll take it from there.
Putting a van through an MOT to find out what's wrong, or paying for repairs before a sale, frequently costs more than it adds. Talk to us first with the van as it stands. If work genuinely would be worth doing, we'll say so rather than let you spend blindly.
We look at long-stood vans, expired MOTs, mechanical faults, damp, storm and accident damage, and vans that need recovery rather than driving. We don't buy campervans, day vans, commercial vans, statics or cars, and there are cases — severe structural damage, or a vehicle with no evidence of ownership — where we may not be able to help. A short conversation establishes which side of the line a van sits on.
If your motorhome has been recorded as an insurance write-off, tell us the category when you first get in touch — it changes how a van is valued but doesn't automatically rule it out. We'll also tell you up front how recovery is arranged for a van that can't be driven, so there are no surprise costs later.
Motorhomes are long and heavy, so access matters. Tell us about tight lanes, low branches, locked storage yards or restricted opening hours, and photographs of the approach are genuinely useful. Collection is arranged with you rather than left as your problem.
Start with the valuation form — the photo step is the quickest way to show us the real condition. If damp is part of the picture, the habitation and damp guide covers what to look for.
Answers
Yes. Gearbox trouble, a failed clutch, turbo or injector faults, brake problems, warning lights or an engine that will not start do not stop a sale. Describe the symptoms and any diagnosis you have; the fault is factored into the assessment and collection is arranged accordingly.
Written by Caravan2Cash buying team, Motorhome buyers. Published 2026-01-12, last reviewed 2026-01-12.
Yes. An expired MOT does not prevent a sale, and buying a motorhome without one is routine for us. It does affect how the vehicle is moved: it cannot be driven on the road without a valid MOT, so collection is arranged on a transporter instead.
Written by Caravan2Cash buying team, Motorhome buyers. Published 2026-01-12, last reviewed 2026-01-12.
Yes. Non-runners are a regular part of what we buy, whether the engine will not start, the gearbox has failed or the brakes have seized. Tell us what happens when you try to start it and how much room there is around the vehicle, so recovery can be arranged properly.
Written by Caravan2Cash buying team, Motorhome buyers. Published 2026-01-12, last reviewed 2026-01-12.
Yes, and long-stood motorhomes are common. Expect a flat battery, perished tyres, seized brakes, stale fuel, a lapsed MOT and possibly damp. None of that stops a sale. Do not spend money getting it running first — tell us its condition and how it can be accessed.
Written by Caravan2Cash buying team, Motorhome buyers. Published 2026-01-12, last reviewed 2026-01-12.
Yes. Motorhomes that will not start, have failed brakes, no MOT or flat, perished tyres are collected on a transporter or by specialist recovery. What we need to know is where the vehicle sits, how much space surrounds it and whether the wheels turn.
A vehicle that cannot be driven is a transport problem, not a reason to walk away. It does affect how collection is arranged and what that costs, which is taken into account when we talk to you about the motorhome.
A motorhome without a valid MOT or insurance cannot be driven on the road, so it must be transported. If it has been kept off the road, check its tax status and SORN position with DVLA rather than assuming.
Written by Caravan2Cash buying team, Motorhome buyers. Published 2026-01-12, last reviewed 2026-01-12.
Tell us about your vehicle and our buying team will come back to you about a possible offer. It's free and there's no obligation to sell.